Medvedev orders to open Simferopol airport for international flights

"To open the Simferopol International Airport for international flights made by aircraft," – reads the decree signed by Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

"The decision will add to development of the transport system of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol," – reads the document published on the Russian government website Saturday.

The statement adds that the measure will allow for Crimea and Sevastopol's transport accessibility and an increase in the number of flights taking off and landing at the airport.

The decree by Premier Medvedev comes at a time as Crimea's capital, Simferopol, celebrates City Day for the first time as part of the Russian Federation

Meanwhile, European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation Eurocontrol banned European air companies flying to Crimea.

“Eurocontrol is strictly following ICAO Convention on International Civil Aviation and will not recognize any unilateral declaration of air navigation service provision over any part of Ukrainian airspace other than from the Ukrainian authority” reads the statement.